Margery Elaine Baker

Denver, Colorado -- Margery Elaine Baker passed away on April 30, 2011 after a brief illness. She was a long-time resident in the Hutchinson area, having moved to Denver in 2002 to be near her children. Her daughters June Baker Laird of Castle Rock, Colorado and Kathleen Baker Dixon of Casper, Wyoming survive her, as do her sister Janice Geist of Hutchinson, and her niece and nephew, Don Gruver of Newton and Blythe Wilkinson of Hutchinson.

Elaine was born May 22, 1933 in Cunningham, Kansas, daughter of Vernon Manuel Ratlief and Mary Isabel Elliot Ratlief. She graduated from Halstead High School in May 1951, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She began her work-life as a secretary at the Hertzler Clinic. In the 1950’s and 60’s Elaine worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for City National Bank in Lawton, Oklahoma, 1st National Bank in Hutchinson, McPherson & Citizens State Bank in McPherson, as well as Kelly Flour Mill and the Board of Education in Hutchinson.

Everett Michael Baker of Burton, Kansas and Elaine were wed on March 30, 1951. They had been devoted to each other for 57 years at the time of Mike’s death following a very long illness, on March 20, 2008. Elaine and Mike’s first date was a movie at the Fox Theatre in Hutchinson. They returned to the Fox for a wonderful 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration with family and friends. Elaine will rest next to her cherished and beloved Mike.

Elaine loved antiques, animals, art and music. For twenty-six years -- from 1970 to 1996 when she retired -- Elaine owned Baker’s Antiques in South Hutchinson appraising, collecting and selling antiques of all varieties, welcoming people from all over the country into her shop. She was extremely knowledgeable and well-known for her expertise on collectibles. Many of her customers became life-long friends.

Elaine was an active member of the South Hutchinson United Methodist Church from 1961 to 2002. She served as the Parent-Teacher Association President for South Hutchinson Elementary School and as a Troop Leader for the Wheatbelt Girl Scouts in the early 1970’s. Because her husband suffered from the disease, she was a supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She was always a willing and kind volunteer.

In the last year of her life, Elaine found a wonderful companion in George Mason of Littleton, Colorado. They loved to listen to music and socialize with family and friends together.

A memorial service for Elaine and internment will be on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at Olinger Chapel Hill, Mortuary and Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Boulevard, Littleton, Colorado 80121. She requested that any memorial donations be made to South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, 206 East Avenue E, South Hutchinson, Kansas 67505, or to the Humane Society.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, Littleton, CO.